Hiking and backpacking in Ocala National Forest
Ocala National Forest trails near the city of Ocala, Florida.
Get your backpacking gear out of storage: the best time of year to backpack in Ocala National Forest is February, according to an article in Senior Times Magazine. The Florida National Scenic Trail winds 71 miles through the Ocala National Forest just south of Gainesville and north of Orlando and roughly follows the abandoned cross-Florida barge canal project started in the 1930s. Recreational areas with camping facilities are located every 10-12 miles making the trail well suited to multi-day backpacking trips.
The Ocala National Forest trails also make great day hikes and there’s plenty to see and do along the way. Check out the massive berms and dikes from the canal project now overtaken with scrub pine and palm trees. Plenty of lakes and waterways dot the forest as well meaning you never quite know what to expect around the next turn!
I had the opportunity to mountain bike about 40 miles of the trails in Ocala National Forest in March of last year and was really impressed with the trailhead facilities available to all trail users. The scenery was incredible, the weather ideal, and the trail literally seemed to go on forever. If you’re looking for a winter time hiking or backpacking escape, check into the Ocala National Forest in Florida - now is the best time of year to experience it!
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